Portable exercise device

Abstract

A portable exercise device that is usable in the home by attachment to supporting structure. The device comprises a pair of bases that are configured for attachment to a support, a member having a peripheral edge being pivotally attached to one of the bases and a bar being pivotally attached to the other base. One end of the bar is attached to the base to which the member is attached by a resistance mechanism. To the other end of the bar is attached a strap that engages a portion of the peripheral edge of the member and extends therefrom for attachment to a grip. This structure reduces the resistance force produced by the resistance mechanism as the exerciser approaches full contraction of the muscle group being exercised to ensure a completely full contraction is made. The device also compensates for the use of a non-linear resistance mechanism. In addition the resistance provided by the device is easily adjustable, providing the appropriate resistance for the particular muscle group being exercised.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable exercise device comprising: a pair of bases spaced apart from one another, each base being configured for attachment to a support means;   a member having a peripheral edge, said member being pivotally attached to one of said pair of bases;   a bar having a first end and a second end, said bar being pivotally attached, at a pivot point intermediate said first and second ends of said bar, to the other one of said pair of bases, said pivot point defining a first part of said bar extending from said pivot point to and including said first end of said bar and a second part of said bar extending from said pivot point and including said second end of said bar;   a longitudinally extending biasing means having first and second ends, said first end being connected to said base to which said member is attached thereto and said second end of said biasing means being attached to said second part of said bar; and   a strap having a first end and a second end, said first end of said strap being attached to said first part of said bar and a portion of said strap, intermediate said first and second ends thereof, engaging a portion of said peripheral edge of said member and said second end of said strap extending free from said member.   
     
     
       2. A portable exercise device as in claim 1 wherein said member extends generally longitudinally having a first end and a second end, said member being pivotally attached, proximal to said first end of said member, to said one of said pair of bases, said portion of said peripheral edge that is engaged by said strap curving away from a line extending between said first and second ends of said member. 
     
     
       3. A portable exercise device as in claim 2 wherein said peripheral edge of said member defines an ovoid shape on a plane passing through said peripheral edge of said member. 
     
     
       4. A portable exercise device as in claim 3 wherein said ovoid shape of said member defines a larger end generally opposing a smaller end and said larger end is said first end of said member. 
     
     
       5. A portable exercise device as in claim 1 wherein said bar comprises a plurality of attaching means spaced apart from one another, said first end of said biasing means being selectively attachable to one of said plurality of attaching means and said first end of said strap being selectively attachable to another one of said plurality of attaching means. 
     
     
       6. A portable exercise device as in claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises an elastomeric band. 
     
     
       7. A portable exercise device as in claim 1 wherein each said base, of said pair of bases, comprises a plate, said plate having a first edge; an arm attached to said plate so that said arm extends outwardly therefrom, said member being pivotally attached to said arm of one of said pair of bases and said bar being pivotally attached to said arm of said other one of said pair of bases; and an L shaped extension attached to said first edge of said plate so that said extension opposes and extends generally parallel to said plate forming a U-shape with said plate that is sized to receive a support means therein, said support means comprising a door edge, whereby one said base may be attached to the top edge of a door and said other base may be attached to the bottom edge of the door.